Osteoarthritis
(OA) is a disease of the joints. It is caused by wearing down and repair that occurs through our lifetime. It is more common as we age and can be debilitating. Weak muscles and poor joint alignment can worsen the condition. There is no cure for OA, but regular physical activity can help address muscle and joint roles.

The Cochrane Library collected several studies about exercise benefits for osteoarthritis. The review found that exercise can help decrease pain and increase functionality in people with OA. A second review, published in the
Arthritis and Rheumatism Journal
, gathered information specifically about strength training, and found similar results.

About the Study

The Cochrane
review
followed 32
randomized trials
that compared general non-water therapeutic exercise. An exercise group was compared to a non-exercise group. Both had osteoarthritis in the knee. There were 3,616 participants evaluated for knee pain and 3,719 participants evaluated for self-reported physical function. Compared to the non-exercise group, the exercise group reported better rates of pain reduction and higher rates of improved function.

The second review focused on strength training for OA. Researchers at the University of Sydney reviewed 18 randomized trials that evaluated the effect of strength training on pain and function in participants with knee osteoarthritis. The review had a total of 2,832 participants. Results were self-reported or measured. In general:

50%-100% of the studies had a significant improvement in the performance-based physical function measure (walk time)

How Does This Affect You?

Both of these studies only reviewed short-term benefits of exercise for OA. They also did not focus on specific time and amounts of exercise. However, the results are promising in providing benefits for people with knee osteoarthritis.

Exercise
is already known to provide heart and general health benefits and these studies indicate an additional benefit for people with OA. Talk to your doctor about a complete program for managing OA. Ask your doctor about exercise recommendations or a referral to an exercise specialist.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.